ISE moves closer to equity index options trading

New York-based electronic equity options market, the International Securities Exchange (ISE), has stepped up its attempts to go head-to-head with the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) in trading equity index options by unveiling its first product, the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 index.

The ISE said it will introduce index options trading pending Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval. The ISE is currently petitioning the SEC to lift its block on other exchanges being granted a licence to make markets in equity index products. In November last year it formally urged the SEC to “remove the last bastion of anti-competitive listing practices in the options market”.

“Enhancing competition in the options market is a key priority for ISE, and we believe the expansion into index options trading will bring important benefits for investors," said Gary Katz, ISE’s chief operating officer.